Ms. Yang could tell that Evan had clearly been zoning out. He wasn't paying attention to the lesson.
The reading comprehension question on the board was a tricky one, crafted by her during a late-night brainstorming session. All four options were intentionally deceptive.
Yet Evan had merely glanced at it and picked the correct answer.
Coincidence? Or was it…?
No, it had to be a coincidence!
"Ahem." Ms. Yang cleared her throat and asked, "Evan, why do you think the answer is A?" She was curious to hear his reasoning.
"It's simple."
Evan's tone was nonchalant. "Based on the context of the passage, the answer is A."
Ms. Yang: "…"
The class: "…"
That's not an explanation—it's just stating the obvious!
Ms. Yang's lips twitched as she suppressed her frustration. Finally, she waved him off. "Fine, sit down. If you're going to zone out, at least don't distract your classmates, got it?"
"Got it."
Evan nodded, then leaned back into his usual window-gazing pose, propping his chin on one hand.
The entire class was dumbfounded.
Seriously?
The notoriously strict Ms. Yang had just told someone they could zone out as long as they didn't bother others?
What's going on with the world?!
Ms. Yang composed herself and addressed the class, "Evan's answer is correct. Let me explain why A is the right choice…"
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson.
Nia turned to Evan, her expression slightly uneasy. In a soft voice, she stammered, "I—I only reminded you earlier because we're classmates. Don't get the wrong idea."
Her cheeks flushed as soon as she said it. Even she didn't believe that excuse.
Evan chuckled. "Sure. I won't overthink it. But thanks for the heads-up, Nia."
Nia: "…"
Nia's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "You—could you not call me that?"
Apart from her dad, only Romy and Sienna called her "Nia." Hearing Evan address her so casually was… unsettling.
"Why not?" Evan raised an eyebrow. "It's a nice name."
Nia's long lashes fluttered as she huffed, "Just call me by my full name, okay?"
Her voice carried a hint of urgency, catching the attention of Romy, who had been engrossed in her romance novel. Looking up with curiosity, she teased, "Nia, what's going on between you two?"
"Nothing!" Nia blurted, her tone defensive. "I was just asking Evan about the physics problem from last class. That's all."
"Physics, huh?" Romy's grin widened. "Are you sure it wasn't an English question? Because last I checked, Ms. Yang doesn't teach physics."
Nia froze, her face heating up. "I—I meant earlier. You misunderstood."
Romy gave her a knowing smirk before diving back into her book.
With Romy no longer prying, Nia exhaled in relief. But when she glanced up, she found Evan watching her with an amused smile.
"What are you laughing at?!" she hissed.
"You," Evan said simply. "You're cute when you're flustered."
Nia: "…"
Her face burned as she spun back around in her seat, desperately avoiding his gaze.
Evan's chuckle lingered in the air. "Really, Nia, your smile is the sweetest thing."
At lunch, Evan quietly lined up at a less crowded cafeteria counter. He didn't care much about food as long as it filled him up.
As he sat down with his bowl of beef noodles, a girl slid into the seat across from him.
She was dressed in a plaid shirt paired with a knit cardigan, exuding a gentle warmth.
"Hi," she greeted with a soft smile. "I'm Sophie Qiao from Class 1, Senior Year. Mind if I sit here?"
Evan barely glanced at her. "Go ahead."
Without another word, he started eating, showing no interest in making conversation.
Unfazed, Sophie tilted her head. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
"Evan. Class 2, Senior Year."
Sophie blinked in surprise. "Really? I know almost everyone in Class 2, but I've never seen you before."
"Transfer student," Evan replied between bites. "I just started yesterday."
"A transfer student?" Sophie's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "You must be really smart to transfer into our school."
"Not bad."
Evan's indifferent attitude only piqued Sophie's curiosity further. She wasn't used to being ignored.
"Evan," she ventured, "we've got a big monthly exam coming up. Think you'll help Class 2 beat Class 1?"
Evan finally looked up, his lips curling into a faint smile. "And why would I care about that?"
Sophie was momentarily at a loss for words.
Evan drained the last of his noodle soup, stood up, and casually added, "Don't waste food. It's not a good habit."
Then, without waiting for a response, he walked away.
Sophie sat frozen, staring after him in disbelief.
Back in the classroom, Romy was waiting for him, wearing a sly grin.
"What's with that look?" Evan asked, unfazed. "Admiring my face again? Try not to distract Nia."
Nia's head jerked up from her workbook, her cheeks dusted with pink.
Romy snorted. "Self-absorbed much?"
Evan smiled, unbothered. "Call it confidence. Now, unless you have something important to say, let Nia focus. You're supposed to help her, not hold her back."
Romy: "…"
Before she could fire back, Nia gently touched her arm.
"Don't listen to him," Nia said with a reassuring smile. "I'm lucky to have you as my desk mate."
Her sweet tone and radiant smile left both Evan and Romy momentarily stunned.
Evan's eyes softened.
She's beautiful.